Exploring the Fascinating History of the Men’s Clothing Boutique that Inspired a Famous Work
In the early 1920s, Casablanca became the fashion destination of choice for the elite of New York City. The emerging French quarter on the Atlantic coast, built in the new art deco architecture style, was home to two famous houses located across from each other on the central boulevard De la Gya (today’s Mohammed V Boulevard): the Skali shoe house and the men’s fashion house. Famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald was so intrigued by the reputation of these boutiques that he decided to sail to Casablanca in 1923 to personally ensure the professionalism of the masters of the fashion industry in this Moroccan city.

The Allure of Casablanca Fashion in the 1920s

At the turn of the 20th century, Casablanca was a bustling city, its location as a key port between Europe and Africa contributing to its cosmopolitan culture. The introduction of art deco architecture added to the city’s allure, and the fashion industry soon followed. By the 1920s, the city had become a hotspot for high-end fashion, with couturiers and craftsmen creating stunning and intricate garments, shoes, and accessories that caught the attention of the wealthy elite around the world.

The Skali Shoe House

One of the most renowned boutiques in Casablanca in the 1920s was the Skali shoe house. Founded by a Jewish family, the Skali family, the boutique quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional quality and attention to detail in creating custom-made shoes for both men and women. The Skali family’s reputation for excellence was such that even famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald was drawn to the boutique upon hearing of its reputation.

The Men’s Fashion House

The other famous boutique that caught Fitzgerald’s attention was the men’s fashion house located across the street from the Skali shoe house. The boutique was also founded by a Jewish family, whose name has been lost to history, but whose reputation for creating exquisite garments was well-known throughout the city.

Fitzgerald’s Visit to Casablanca

In 1923, F. Scott Fitzgerald traveled to Casablanca to personally inspect the quality of the garments and shoes created by the Skali and men’s fashion house families. Fitzgerald was so impressed with the virtuosity and quality of the costumes and shoes that he placed orders with both families. The elegance and chic of the garments and shoes inspired him to write a famous work, for which he used the surname of the Casablanca family that had created his clothing.

The Name of the Men’s Clothing Boutique that Inspired Fitzgerald

The name of the men’s clothing boutique that inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous work is lost to history. However, the legacy of the Skali family continues to live on in Casablanca, with a new generation of craftsmen and women still creating exquisite custom-made shoes to this day.

Conclusion

The history of the fashion industry in Casablanca in the 1920s is a fascinating testament to the city’s cosmopolitan culture and its role as a hub for trade and commerce. The reputation of the Skali shoe house and the men’s fashion house attracted the attention of some of the wealthiest and most influential individuals of the time, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose admiration for the virtuosity and quality of the garments and shoes inspired him to create a famous work. Although the name of the men’s clothing boutique that inspired Fitzgerald is lost to history, the legacy of the Skali family endures, reminding us of the enduring allure of high-end fashion and the enduring legacy of master craftsmen and

In the early 1920s, New York’s elite wore shoes and costumes from couturiers in Casablanca, prompting Scott Fitzgerald to visit in 1923 and order from two famous houses across from each other on the central boulevard De la Gya: the Skali shoe house and a men’s fashion house, which inspired him to write a famous work.

Fitzgerald’s idea for “West Egg” and “East Egg” in his novel “The Great Gatsby” was inspired by the real-life juxtaposition of Great Neck and Manhasset Neck on Long Island, where the Fitzgeralds moved after their daughter’s birth. Fitzgerald’s neighbor, Max Gerlach, who threw lavish parties and lived like a millionaire, inspired the creation of Jay Gatsby.

Fitzgerald’s work on “The Great Gatsby” resumed in earnest in April 1924, and he consciously imitated the literary styles of Joseph Conrad and Willa Cather. During revisions, Fitzgerald received detailed criticisms from his editor, Maxwell Perkins, and submitted the final version in February 1925, declining a $10,000 offer for the serial rights to the book.

В начале двадцатых годов XX века, на частных вечеринках нью-йоркской знати было настолько модно появляться в обуви и костюмах от кутюрье из Касабланки, что Скотт Фицджеральд решил направиться на корабле в 1923 году и собственнолично убедиться в профессионализме мастеров появившегося на берегу Атлантики французского квартала, построенного в стиле нового направления в архитектуре – ар-деко. Прибыв в Касабланку, он открыл для себя историю 2 знаменитых домов, расположившихся друг против друга на центральном бульваре Де ля Гяр (сегодняшний бульвар. Мохаммеда 5): обувной дом Скали и дом мужской моды…. (название скрыто) У обеих еврейских семей мистер Фицджеральд сделал заказы и был настолько удивлен виртуозностью и качеством костюмов, что шик и блекс оных навеял ему мысль написать знаменитое произведение, для названия которого он использовал фамилию касабланской семьи – автора его одежды. Как назывался бутик мужской одежды?